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World’s largest pilotless cargo drone Pyka zips $40M Series B to spread wings in defense

Pyka-raises-40M-autonomous-electric-aircraft
Pyka’s autonomous electric aircraft. Picture credits; Pyka

Electric aviation innovator, Pyka raises $40M Series B funding to expand its autonomous electric aircraft. This investment accelerates Pyka’s mission to revolutionise agriculture and defence industries through sustainable, electric flight.

Pyka, a leader in electric aviation technology, has secured $40M in Series B funding to accelerate the development and commercialisation of its dual-use autonomous electric aircraft. The round, led by Obvious Ventures with support from Piva Capital, Prelude Ventures, Metaplanet Holdings, and Y Combinator, aims to boost production and fuel global growth.

Autonomous electric aircraft

The world of aviation is on the brink of transformation, and California-based Pyka is at the forefront. Picture a future where electric planes autonomously fly over vast agricultural fields or deliver cargo across continents without leaving a carbon footprint. Pyka’s autonomous electric aircraft have already been deployed on multiple continents, offering solutions for industries from agriculture to defence logistics. With this new $40M injection, the company is poised to scale its impact even further.

Michael Norcia, Pyka’s Co-Founder and CEO, highlighted the significance of this milestone: “We are designing, developing, and commercialising autonomous electric aircraft at a pace that few companies have been able to achieve. With commercial production well underway, and our aircraft deployed with customers on multiple continents, we are extremely proud of the progress we’ve made as a company thus far. This round of funding brings us one step closer to unlocking autonomous electric flight for society.”

Accelerating growth and production

Pyka’s autonomous electric aircraft, including its flagship Pelican Spray and Pelican Cargo models, are leading the charge in the electrification of aviation. With operations spanning the U.S., Central America, and Brazil, Pyka’s customer base includes major players like Dole, Embraer, and the United States Air Force. These aircraft are not only reducing operational costs but are also critical in cutting down emissions in industries that are often major polluters.

Andrew Beebe, Managing Director at Obvious Ventures, expressed enthusiasm for Pyka’s mission-driven approach: “From the beginning, Pyka was focused on getting into the air and getting into business with commercial operations. Their cost-effective mindset and discipline caught our attention. And what got us really excited was the passion of the team and their mission-driven focus on electrifying aviation and decarbonising one of the worst offenders in the world.”

With the fresh $40M, Pyka plans to bolster its domestic manufacturing, expand operations with both U.S. and international clients, and advance the development of new capabilities for contested logistics in defence.

Leading in agriculture and cargo with electric aircraft

Pyka’s Pelican Spray is already making waves in agriculture as the largest FAA-approved uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for crop protection. This fully electric aircraft, weighing 1,320 lbs, delivers precise spraying while minimising chemical drift, making it both environmentally friendly and highly productive for large-scale agricultural operations.

Pelican Cargo, on the other hand, is designed for heavy payloads and long-range delivery. It’s the first large-scale autonomous electric cargo aircraft, capable of carrying up to 400 lbs over two hundred miles. Its versatility extends to the defence sector, where Pyka has partnered with Sierra Nevada Company to offer a modified version called RUMRUNNER, tailored for contested logistics operations within the U.S. Department of Defense.

Charging ahead with innovation

Pyka’s success is grounded in its proprietary autonomous flight technology, combining advanced software, high energy density batteries, and electric propulsion systems. This unique combination allows Pyka’s aircraft to operate in complex environments safely and efficiently, offering unprecedented cost savings for customers while reducing carbon emissions.

As the company eyes further expansion, this Series B funding will be pivotal in supporting Pyka’s goal of revolutionising aviation with electric aircraft that serve both commercial and defence sectors.

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